What this means Our calculation
1 of 21 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $75,950. Prices run 7% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.1%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Athens Government data
All 21 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $75,950 | -2% | $81,367 | 350 | #232 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $65,250 | -2% | $69,903 | 60 | #123 |
| Building Inspector | $58,210 | -14% | $62,361 | 60 | #299 |
| Plumber | $57,750 | -6% | $61,869 | 210 | #274 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $56,460 | -9% | $60,487 | 100 | #284 |
| Machinist | $56,010 | -2% | $60,004 | 120 | #200 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $52,190 | -18% | $55,912 | 180 | #372 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,170 | +5% | $54,819 | 440 | #138 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $50,820 | -16% | $54,444 | 100 | #355 |
| Electrician | $49,750 | -20% | $53,298 | 390 | #359 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $49,400 | -4% | $52,923 | 70 | #229 |
| HVAC Technician | $48,890 | -18% | $52,377 | 240 | #343 |
| Glazier | $48,540 | -12% | $52,002 | 50 | #103 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,980 | -22% | $51,402 | 60 | #229 |
| Welder | $47,970 | -8% | $51,391 | 370 | #318 |
| Carpenter | $44,740 | -20% | $47,931 | 100 | #363 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $44,300 | -26% | $47,459 | 230 | #377 |
| Painter | $41,060 | -14% | $43,988 | 50 | #314 |
| Maintenance Technician | $39,150 | -19% | $41,942 | 1,830 | #370 |
| Construction Laborer | $37,120 | -21% | $39,767 | 420 | #353 |
| Landscaper | $35,820 | -5% | $38,375 | 580 | #312 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Athens
The Athens area has about 95,852 homes. 35% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 15% were built in 2010 or later. 55% of households own their home, and the median home value is $356,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Athens Government data
In an average year, Athens has 62 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 2 at 100°F or more, 46 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 74 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 90°F and winter nights 36°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Athens Ben Epps Airport, GA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.1% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Athens area's population grew 3.9% from 2020 to 2025 (215,734 → 224,148), ranking #129 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +6,576) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Athens are down 31% from 2021 to 2025 (1,848 → 1,278). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Athens area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 11% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 73% drive alone, 2% take transit and 11% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Georgia Official source
The main state licensing office in Georgia is the Georgia Secretary of State (Professional Licensing). Construction Industry Licensing Board and Residential/General Contractors Board. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Georgia licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 5.1% of wage and salary workers in Georgia were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#40 of 51 states and D.C.), and 6.1% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Georgia.